

While the practical difference in performance between the. 308 Winchester and the 7.62×51 NATO are technically different cartridges. In this article, I’m going to discuss the history, advantages, disadvantages, and recommended uses of the 7.62×39 vs 308 vs 7.62x54R cartridges so you can make an informed decision on which one is right for you.īefore we get started, I have two administrative notes:įirst, the. That being said, each has vastly different strengths and weakness. 308 Winchester, and 7.62x54R remain in common use decades after they were first introduced. They’re all excellent cartridges and this is reflected in the fact that the 7.62×39. Not surprisingly, there are a lot misunderstandings and myths regarding those three cartridges that combine to make the 7.62×39 vs 308 vs 7.62x54R debate really tough to navigate. 308 Winchester further muddies the water.

The fact that the 7.62x51mm NATO is extremely similar to the.

While their names are very similar at first glance, the three cartridges are not interchangeable. You’re not alone if you’re confused about the differences between the 7.62x39mm, 7.62x51mm, and 7.62x54R cartridges. They’re all proven cartridges with different strengths and weaknesses, but the question remains: which one should you be using? The 7.62×39 vs 308 vs 7.62x54R debate has raged within hunting and shooting circles for many decades now.
